Are There Any Good Mesothelioma Attorneys In Philadelphia?

By Darrin Levy


Mesothelioma is a word that can devastate an entire family. A relatively rare form of lung cancer, mesothelioma is a bit more intimidating than other cancers because it could have been prevented by having precautionary protection available from asbestos exposure, and it is incurable. Even more tragic is the bitter truth that, at the time the victim was exposed to asbestos, the dangers were not yet known. And, since decades sometimes pass before the symptoms of mesothelioma are noticed, the disease is now beginning to appear more frequently than ever before.

Philadelphia, and other cities in Pennsylvania, has had a higher incidence of mesothelioma cases than surrounding states, due to the large number of power plants, ship yards, refineries, and other industries that used asbestos prolifically before the dangers became known. It is for this reason that mesothelioma lawsuits in Philadelphia have increased exponentially in the past couple of decades, and why it is crucial that victims of this horrible disease seek top Philadelphia legal counsel who only practices in mesothelioma cases.

Finding the best Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer may initially seem difficult, because there are many lawyers in Philadelphia, and not all of them are qualified to handle a mesothelioma lawsuit. The laws pertaining to damages awarded to victims of mesothelioma are very specific, and it is extremely important that only lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma cases are used.

In the quest for the best mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, the following aspects should be of primary concern: (i) The attorney must know the intricacies of the disease, its causes, and the horrid effects that it wreaks upon the victim and his family; (ii) The attorney must have sufficient experience in the process of appropriate documentation to secure, and the course of action that will yield the best results for his client; (iii) The attorney must be willing to calculate the future anticipated financial impact of this disease upon the patient and his family, and include that amount in the claim for damages; (iv) The attorney must be willing to accommodate the patient by traveling to the patient's home for consultations; (v) The attorney must work on a contingency basis, and never charge fees to his client before the claim is settled. By using a contingency basis, the attorney receives no payment until a monetary award is granted, and his fee is based upon a percentage of the award. This is a stellar incentive for the lawyer to seek the maximum possible compensation award for his client. It is also highly recommended that the patient seek an attorney who provides the initial consultation free of charge.

When beginning the search, the state bar association can provide names of attorneys who are registered as specializing in mesothelioma cases in Philadelphia, but they cannot recommend any particular attorney.

Upon obtaining this list of Philadelphia attorney names, the next step is to research the names to determine how many cases each attorney has successfully represented, and the amount of each award that was granted to the plaintiff.

The best source is irrefutably word of mouth from others who have sought compensation through legal recourse. In order to find these individuals, one may try searching online, or the Yellow Pages for a nearby mesothelioma support group in Philadelphia. These groups are excellent resources for information to help mesothelioma sufferers find the best mesothelioma attorneys in Philadelphia. In fact, some such support groups offer online tools to help the patient research his options from the comfort of his own home.

Just as there are attributes of a good mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, there are some unfavorable traits that, if observed, should be an indicator that the attorney is not a good choice to handle the claim. One such trait is that of promises of monetary rewards. Until the case can be properly assessed, investigated, and all considerations studied, it is impossible to guarantee a specific monetary award. An attorney who speaks quickly of a specified amount is most likely one that has a tendency to push through standard claims for the same amount on each claim. A good mesothelioma attorney will assess each case individually to determine the merit of the case. A process for investigation and discovery should take place before any monetary amounts are suggested.

Also, if the attorney does not specialize in mesothelioma cases, but also handles other types of cases such as land transactions, wills, divorces, and other types of cases, he or she may not be the best choice for handling a mesothelioma case. The instances of mesothelioma in Philadelphia have skyrocketed over the past decade, resulting in a sharp increase in the claims and lawsuits that have been executed by victims seeking relief. As stated above, this trend has caused many companies to seek their own relief through bankruptcy courts, which has led to the passing of legislation specifically targeting these companies and the claims against them. Only a seasoned Philadelphia attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases will have the knowledge and expertise to provide the exemplary service that the client deserves.




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